Four names are on voters’ minds in the 2028 white house race—but who’s actually leading?

Four names draw attention

The Reuters/Ipsos survey identified Vance, Rubio, Ossoff and Buttigieg as the leading names in voters’ minds as early positioning begins for 2028. The poll was completed on Monday and included roughly 500 registered voters from each party.

Among Republicans, 45% viewed Rubio as an excellent presidential candidate. The margin of error for Republican and Democratic voters was 5 percentage points.

Republicans weigh Trump’s influence

Trump has asked allies whether they prefer Vance or Rubio. In a Sunday interview with CBS’s “60 Minutes,” he said he would “not necessarily” endorse a candidate in the Republican primary.

Some Republicans are dissatisfied with Trump, particularly over the war with Iran and its effect on fuel prices. Vance has said the war contributed to Republicans’ losses in the midterm elections, while Rubio has been notably absent from many peace talks with Iran.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis was rated an excellent option by 32% of Republicans. Donald Trump Jr. and Texas US Senator Ted Cruz also have supporters, as well as detractors.

Democrats consider their options

Ossoff topped many Democrats’ lists, with 29% of registered voters in the party rating him an excellent candidate. He recently won re-election in Georgia by 18 percentage points, after drawing attention for direct criticism of Trump.

Recognition may shape campaigns

Name recognition can reduce the money a candidate needs to spend introducing themselves to voters. The poll found very few Republicans unfamiliar with Vance, while about one in six said they did not know Rubio.

Still, lesser-known candidates can gain support during a campaign. Former President Bill Clinton was cited as an example of a candidate who caught fire despite limited familiarity.